Chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday said that Haryana had become the first state in the country to issue about 16 lakh soil health cards to its farmers.

Besides, about 28 lakh Kisan Credit Cards have been issued to them through cooperative banks which would be linked to core banking system by March 31, 2013, he said while presiding over a meeting here to review the recommendations of the Kisan Ayog.

He directed the Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department to establish a Live Stock Mission to ensure faster growth of the livestock sector and asked concerned officers to submit a blueprint to him in this regard soon.

He said it was a matter of pride that for the first time Haryana had surpassed Punjab in terms of wheat productivity. The state would be honoured with Krishi Karman Award for the second consecutive time. The award would be presented by the Union government on January 15.

The chief minister said the ministry of information and broadcasting had assured that a channel slot would be provided to give timely knowledge to the farmers. Required material would be provided by the Kisan Ayog, CCSHAU Hisar and other non-government organisation working in the agriculture sector.

Agriculture minister Paramvir Singh, chief parliamentary secretary Dharambir Singh, principal secretary to chief minister Chattar Singh, additional chief secretary Krishna Mohan, and other senior officers of various departments were also present at the meeting.